Improvement in sofa-bedsteads



J. A. BIGGER.

SOFA-BEDSTEAD.

No.180,8Z9. Patented Aug. 8, 1876.

I V J). I

M E EIG. HO O-UTKOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN A. BIGGER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SOFA-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 180,829, dated August 8, 1876; application filed April 8, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ALEXANDER BIG- GER, of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improved Bed-Lounge, or Divan, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of lounges or divans constructed to be used as a bed, when desired, by having the back so arranged as to turn down horizontally on a level with the seat, and the head or pillow to be inverted and opened longitudinally, to form a pillowrest or support for the head.

In order to better understand the nature and object of my invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters marked thereon, forming a part of the specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention, taken from the end or head of the lounge -frame, with the back thrown down and the pillow opened. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the lounge, with the outer half of the pillow partly opened, to show the mechanism within. Fig. 3 is an end sectional view,- taken from the foot of the lounge. Fig. 4 is a top view of a portion of the seat and back frames, taken from the head where the pillow is situated.

A represents the lounge-frame, and B the back, which is expanded or opened on a horizontal plane with the seat of the lounge proper. 0 is the pillow, which is divided longitudinally, so as to form the part D; also shown in position across the back B. The pillow is hinged at h, and is constructed so as to be turned or reversed upon the pins 7' r in the uprights of the lounge-frame. The front portion of the divided pillow-frame G is made hollow, to provide room for a double-grooved pulley, a. 1), around which passes an elastic cord, 0, one end of which is confined to the pillow-frame, and passes through the eye 1), and from thence around the. pulley a, to which it is confined A non-elastic cord, 01-, passes around the pulley b, and is confined to the back-frame B at d. This pulley connects with a pawl, t, and ratchet-wheel k, the spring 6 holding the pawl in position against the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. This device, to-

gether with the rack o and pawl or arm E, attached to the cross-frame at the foot of the lounge, admits of the back being kept at any position from the vertical to the horizontal with the cord-pulley ratchet and pawl as an auxiliary.

A supporting-arm, F, not unlike the pawl or arm E, is pivoted to the head of the lounge-frame at e, and both of these arms are provided with elastic cords n s, which pass through the arms, and enter the frame or back. The pawlarm E is operated by a cord, m, which extends from the larger part of it to the front of the lounge, and by drawing upon this cord the pawl-arm is released fom the ratchet 0, which permits the back of the lounge to be opened.

A suitable bolt, f, enters the side of the frame to keep the pillow-frame in position when it is reversed or opened, and a bolt, 9, enters the head of the frame at l to keep it in place when closed.

The slats t, composing the bottom and back of the lounge, are provided with a flat metallic spring, t, the outer ends of which are coiled in a flat coil upon themselves, and a metallic strap, a, passes through each of these coils, and is secured against the ends of the frames, thus keeping the slats and springs firmly in position.

By this construction it will clearly be seen that I am enabled to provide a sofa bed by upholstering only the surface portion, as in the ordinary lounge, it being unnecessary to upholster the inner surface of the divided pillow-frame.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a bed lounge having an adjustable back, B, the reversible and divided pillow frame 0, substantially as set forth and described.

2. In combination with a divided pillowframe, the double pulley a b, operated by an elastic cord, 0, and a non-elastic cord, d, when held in position by the ratchet-wheel k, pawl and spring 2' i, substantially in the manner as set forth and specified.

3. The supporting-arm or pawl E, operated by the elastic cord m, in combination with my hand and seal this 4th the rack a, substantially as and for the pur- 1876. pose specified.

4. The supporting-arm F, operated by the JOHN ALEX BIGGER elastic cord 8, in the manner substantially as Witnesses: shown. C. W. M. SMITH,

In witness whereof I have hereunto set A. S.'ROGERS.,

d ay of March, 

